DEAR News Of The Area, DR Dengate suggests that I should go to Google, which would show a correlation between atmospheric carbon dioxide and temperature (‘Use fossil fuels to build renewable energy economy’, NOTA, 28/8/26). However, facts speak louder than Google. The fact is that world average temperature declined from 1880 to 1910. It again […]
Labor must reject Hanson’s ‘politics of hate’
THE Albanese Government must not capitulate to Pauline Hanson’s politics of hate by stripping rights from people seeking asylum in an attempt to appear tougher on migration. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke last week postponed a National Press Club address where he was expected to announce sweeping migration changes, reportedly including further restrictions on the […]
LETTER: Democracy must begin within political parties
DEAR News Of The Area, AS someone born in Burma (now Myanmar) I understand the value of democracy in a way that many people fortunate enough to grow up in a democratic country may never experience. I spent 15 years of my life involved in the struggle for democracy and basic human rights under a […]
Late-diagnosis Autism dredges up big feelings
DEAR News Of The Area, I WRITE in response to Calvin Bartlett’s letter about Autism, which appeared in News Of The Area on Friday, 7 August, 2026. I, too, got a late diagnosis (61). My heart went out to you, Calvin, as I have experienced the same feelings. First the grief – who I could […]
Best wishes for a future where difference is welcome
DEAR News Of The Area, I WAS deeply moved by Mr Bartlett’s letter (‘Autism: I did not fail at life, I survived’ Coffs Coast News Of The Area, 14/8/26). It was extremely brave of him to write about his personal struggle to fit in to a society which did not understand, appreciate or accommodate him. […]
LETTER: Recycled water used in both nuclear- and coal-fired power stations
DEAR News of the Area, THE letter to the paper from Kenneth Higgs (‘Climate change defeats Europe’s nuclear plants, Port Macquarie News Of The Area, 7/8/2026) may be somewhat misleading. The generation of reliable electrical power from fossil fuels in Australia does use a lot of water. This water is super-heated by coal or, in […]
LETTER: Solar solutions are a good news story
DEAR News Of The Area, IT is such a good news story, having rooftop solar with a battery and now owning an electric car. Not everyone can afford it but my wife and I are two of the lucky ones. I think the number of home battery installations is now over 480,000. The Federal government […]
LETTER: Age pension discriminates against married individuals
DEAR News Of The Area, MARRIED couples are discriminated against when it comes to the age pension. Two single individuals can choose to share a house and utilities if they so desire, or they can choose to have their own houses and utilities. A married couple does not have this choice when it comes to […]
LETTER: Hands up who’s had a near-miss with an e-bike?
DEAR News Of The Area, LAST week I was driving along Pacific Drive near Shelly Beach at the speed limit of 50kph. Suddenly an e-bike, ridden by a teenager, passed me on the inside at a speed I estimate of at least 60kph and shot off up the hill south. I emailed Rob Dwyer about […]
LETTER: Heartfelt thanks to Sheryl, an angel on earth
DEAR News Of The Area, All l know is her name is Sheryl. She’s my guardian angel. I was minding a traumatised, timid, rescued, six-month-old kelpie for a friend, for only two nights, and she escaped. I kicked off my slippers and bolted, braless, across the boulevard in hot pursuit. With the early-morning sun in […]
